The Motherboard, Processor, and Memory - Multiprocessing
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It’s possible to build a system with more than one processor. SMP (Symmetrical Multiprocessing) systems are usually used as servers and as high-performance workstations for CAD (Computer Aided Design), 3-D rendering, PhotoShop editing, and other severely processor-dependent tasks.
However, if your pocketbook is wide and you want the ultimate in workstation performance, an SMP system may be right for you. In an SMP system, multithreaded applications get a boost as processes are sent to each processor, so the two CPUs work in unison to run programs.
XPandSMP: Windows XP Home doesn’t support SMP. If you wish to use SMP with Windows XP, you’ll need Windows XP Professional. However, some games don’t run on XP Professional.
To implement an SMP system similar to the way we’ve set up a single-proces-sor PC thus far, you’ll need a special motherboard with two CPU sockets, a compatible version of Windows such as Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional, two processors, and memory.
Intel and AMD both make special processors dedicated to SMP processing. Intel manufactures the Xeon DP (for dual-processor systems), currently topping out at 2.8GHz, and the Xeon MP (for multiprocessor systems) at speeds up to 2GHz. AMD creates the Athlon MP, currently available as fast as the 2600+.
The ideal chipset for an Intel solution is the i7505 chipset, created by Intel. It uses a memory technology called dual channel DDR, which effectively doubles the bandwidth compared to traditional DDR. This new technology is just emerging as this book is being written.
Note that doubling the number of processors doesn’t equate to doubling the performance of a comparable single-processor system. Dual processors share the same memory and FSB. There’s a significant performance increase, especially if you run processor-intensive applications such as movie encoders, 3-D rendering applications, CAD, and so on.
You get the best results from SMP-aware applications, but any multithreaded game or application can benefit from an SMP setup.
The Hardware For an Intel solution, the Iwill DPL533 motherboard supports dual Xeon DP processors. Based on the Intel E7505 chipset, it offers a wide range of features, including a 533MHz FSB and 8X AGP.
More cost effective is an AMD solution. A motherboard like Tyan’s Thunder K7X Pro (S2469), based on AMD’s 760 MPX chipset, is a perfect platform for dual Athlon MP 2600+ processors.
In each case, you’ll need 512MB of DDR266 memory.
Install the motherboard, the processors, and the memory in the same manner discussed earlier in the chapter with single-processor systems. The only difference you’ll face is that you have to install a pair of processors and heat sinks.
Whether you’re using a single or dual processor system, you’re now ready for the next step. Chapter 3 discusses the visual part of your gaming experience: the graphics card.
 This chapter is from Build Your Own High Performance Gamers' Mod PC, by Chen and Durham (McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2004, ISBN: 0072229012). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now. |
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